TKMS and BAAINBw have signed a preliminary contract for the MEKO A-200 DEU. The aim is to have at least three frigates from 2029, with up to eight units possible as an alternative to the F-126 program.
TKMS and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a preliminary contract for the MEKO A-200 DEU project. The conclusion of the contract marks the start of preparatory measures for the construction of at least three, and possibly up to eight, frigates of the proven MEKO A-200 class in a configuration specified for the German Navy.
Preliminary contract secures delivery dates
The preliminary contract initially covers up to €50 million for procurement and work until the end of March 2026, with the option of a gradual extension until the end of April (additional €100 million). “The preliminary agreement lays the foundation for the immediate project ramp-up. In particular, the contract enables us to procure materials and start steel work at the shipyard immediately,” explained Oliver Juckenhöfel, Executive Vice President Surface Vessels at TKMS.
The aim is to deliver the first ship by the end of 2029, followed by further units at intervals of less than twelve months. An official construction contract has yet to be signed. The final decision is expected by the end of April 2026 and is related to the future of the delayed F-126 program.
With an estimated unit price of around 1 billion euros per unit, the MEKO A-200 DEU is more cost-effective than the F-126 (approx. 1.5-2 billion euros per ship). Should the F-126 program fail, up to eight MEKO frigates could be procured.
The Budget Committee has earmarked a financial framework of around €7.8 billion in the 2026 defense budget and in the special assets of the Bundeswehr for a possible alternative platform to the frigate 126. The funds are qualified as blocked and can – depending on the progress of the F-126 program – be used for an alternative solution such as the MEKO A-200; mathematically, this could cover the procurement of up to eight frigates in the order of around one billion euros per unit.
Technical platform: Proven design with German configuration
The MEKO A-200 DEU is based on the globally exported MEKO A-200 platform, which TKMS has already delivered to South Africa, Algeria and Egypt. However, the German version will be equipped with national and European sensors, weapons and command and control systems, with a particular focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. The exact system configuration of the MEKO A-200 DEU has not yet been released in detail.
Platform data:
- Length: approx. 121 m
- Width: approx. 16.3-16.4 m
- Draft: approx. 4.4 m
- Displacement: approx. 3,700-3,950 t fully loaded (significantly smaller than the F 126 with approx. 10,000 t)
- Crew: 120-150 people (core crew), accommodation for up to 180-200 people
The signing of the preliminary contract marks the official start of the project. TKMS can now order long-range parts, reserve shipyard capacity and prepare the first steel work – crucial steps in order to meet the ambitious delivery date of the end of 2029. (HUM)
